Matt of All Trades blog, like the title suggests, is by a Vermont author and offers offbeat musings on pop culture, media, journalism, humor, weirdness, stupid people, smart people, my life as a journalist, landscaper, photographer, married gay man, dog lover and weather geek and more. It's run by me, Matt Sutkoski, a native Vermonter living in St. Albans, Vt.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

"You Ain't No Muslim, Bruv!" And Other Rallying Cries. Do They Help?

Among those embracing the "You Ain't No Muslim, Bruv"
slogan is British Prime Minister DAvid Cameron.

The phrase on seemingly everybody's social media lips Monday was "You ain't no Muslim, Bruv!

"You ain't no Muslim, Bruv" instantly became a rallying cry and a top trending hashtag on Twitter. Muslims in particular embraced the slogan, as the overwhelming majority of them clearly don't think terrorist attacks are consistent with their religion,Donald Trump's opinion notwithstanding.

Many people for many years have been stating the obvious for years, saying that jihadists aren't really Muslims, even if they think they are.

But "You ain't no Muslim, Bruv" crystalizes the sentiment more perfectly than any politician or pundit or writer could ever manage.

The phrase is an instant way for all of us to demonstrate solidarity against ISIL and its terrorist ilk.

As a practical matter, slogans don't solve problems. At least not directly. I can't imagine an ISIL jihadist hearing "You ain't no Muslim, Bruv," and saying, "Geez, that's right. I'll lay down my weapons get rid of my bombs and lead a peaceful life from now on."

But such slogans offer us cohesiveness, a way to tell the world we're speaking with one voice against terrorism.

Oh, I know here in America there is a pretty big bunch of people taking the opposite tack, coming up with more and more over the top ways to "ban" Muslims because they are "all terrorists" or something.

You Ain't No Muslim, Bruv is a counterweight to ISIL's sick recruitment efforts. The slogan won't save us from terrorism, just as #Port Ouverte or open door for refugees in France after Paris attack didn't save us from terrorist. Nor did the popular hashtag #JeSuisCharlie after January's terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine.

However, we all feel like we need to do something, even if we are, as individuals, pretty powerless to stop ISIL. But the defiant Twitter hashtags like #YouAin'tNoMuslimBruv does its small part to reject and overpower Islamic extremists.